Sox can't help but revere Rivera  —  NEW YORK — While Yankees closer Mariano Rivera was delivering a pitch Sunday in the eighth inning, Scott Podsednik scooted a few inches back in the batter's box in anticipation of Rivera's signature cut fastball.  —  But it didn't matter …

YA GOTTA BELIEVE  —  WRIGHT STARS IN AD FOR FAITH HEALER  —  July 17, 2006 — TO LIFT a line from The Doors, strange days have found us.  —  So it's Saturday afternoon and we're watching the Mets on Ch. 11.  They're playing the Cubs in Wrigley, when, during a commercial break, David Wright …

With stress fracture in foot, Twins' Hunter placed on DL  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins placed center fielder Torii Hunter on the 15-day disabled list Sunday after learning the five-time Gold Glove award winner has a stress fracture in his left foot.

In reversal, Pedro up & throwing  —  CHICAGO - Pedro Martinez figured his boldest move yesterday would be drinking coffee for the first time since experiencing food poisoning.  "Wish me luck, because I really feel like I want a cup," the ace said as he rested the drink in his locker.

ESPN analyst Gammons moved from hospital to rehab after aneurysm  —  BOSTON (AP) -Peter Gammons, an ESPN analyst and member of the writer's wing of the baseball Hall of Fame, was released Monday from a Boston hospital where he was being treated for a brain aneurysm.

Mets' sixth is doubly grand  —  2 slams, 11 runs, 1 laugher  —  CHICAGO - Cliff Floyd began the onslaught with a grand slam.  Carlos Beltran delivered a grand slam, too.  And about the only thing that could slow the Mets during a history-making, 11-run sixth inning were the trash collectors …

'It was the right thing to do'  —  Giambi speaks about testimony; Yankees' wish list  —  While Barry Bonds awaits word as to whether he'll be indicted for perjury and possibly other charges (such as tax evasion), the Yankees' Jason Giambi is enjoying life again.

Royal chance for momentum swing  —  When it comes to knowledge of the Royals, nobody has more than Allard Baird, the former Kansas City general manager and newly appointed Red Sox special assignment scout, who will report to Boston GM Theo Epstein today as the Sox begin a three-game series against Baird's former team.

Royals open series vs. Red Sox  —  Kansas City (32-59) at Boston (54-36), 6:05 p.m. CT  —  The Royals are thankful to be getting away from Comerica Park, which has taken on the look of Death Valley for Buddy Bell's ballclub.  —  It wasn't so much Comerica, it was the Tigers …

AL teams take NL pitchers at their own risk  —  The countdown to the non-waiver trading deadline is 14 days and already, there is the sense of resignation in the air.  —  For the second consecutive year, few expect many important deals to be struck.  Talk?  Yes, plenty.  Proposals?  Sure.

Willis makes day special  —  Brandon Martin, an 8-year-old Dontrelle Willis fan from Lauderdale Lakes, spent part of Sunday playing catch with, then taking batting practice against his favorite Marlin in an outing arranged by Chef David's Kids.  —  Brandon, who is afflicted …

Myers Makes a Quiet Return to the Mound for the Phillies  —  SAN FRANCISCO, July 16 — Brett Myers walked from the dugout toward the mound in the first inning at AT&T Park on Sunday, looked around and waited for the venom.  The last time he made this walk, on June 24, the fans at Fenway Park lambasted him.

The Rumor Mill: Market Place Mania  —  Finding that prices remain ridiculously high for even the mediocre of starting pitchers, Gotham Baseball is hearing that a shift in focus may be afoot.  —  It appears as if the market for pitchers is "crazy" and it doesn't look like it's going to change any time soon.

Going Deep: Mahar on unusual path  —  Gifted Rangers prospect never drafted during career  —  A strong July has lifted Frisco outfielder Kevin Mahar's 2006 numbers to .258/.304/.460, not in line with the .302/.366/.496 he put together in his rookie summer or his .315/.396/.508 line …

GM Interview: Andrew Friedman, Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Part I  —  Last week we had the pleasure of interviewing one of the bright young minds in the game of baseball today.  Andrew Friedman, Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, agreed to speak with us …

Fatigue a factor in starters' woes  —  Guillen stands behind rotation, has no plans to insert McCarthy  —  NEW YORK — Monday's day off comes at the right time for the White Sox's starting pitchers, as far as Jon Garland is concerned.  —  "I'm pretty sure there's definitely fatigue," Garland said.

The Week In Quotes  —  July 10-16  —  SOPHISTS: MAKING THE STRONG ARGUMENT WEAKER AND THE WEAK ARGUMENT STRONGER … —Cincinnati GM Wayne Krivsky, on the eight-player deal that sent Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez to Washington (MLB.com) … —Krivsky … —Nationals GM Jim Bowden

Top pick remains unsigned  —  Royals fear that if deal is not reached soon, pitcher won't play at all in the minor leagues this season.  —  DETROIT |  - DETROIT |  It's day 40 and counting for the stalled negotiations between the Royals and top draft pick Luke Hochevar, a right-hander represented by Scott Boras.